Judge gives Carman extended sentence

Carman was found guilty of beating a young woman to death.

By: Audrey Levine
   Robert Carman, 39, of Manville, was given what amounts to life in prison Monday for the murder of Jaqueline Bodo.
   "There’s no conceivable circumstance under which you will ever see the light of day," Judge Robert Reed, sitting in state Superior Court in Somerville, said.
   The sentence is to be served consecutively with Mr. Carman’s previous sentence to 10 years in prison for burglary and theft, for which he was convicted in 2004.
   "This crime was independent of any others already committed, and that’s why the sentence is consecutive," said Judge Reed, who presided over Mr. Carman’s trial.
   In June, Mr. Carman was found guilty of beating Jacqueline Bodo, 23, of Manville, to death with a 4 by 4 and dragging her body to the railroad tracks under the North Street Bridge where she was hit by a train on Oct. 12, 2003.
   "It wasn’t a fair fight by any means," said Carol Bodo, Ms. Bodo’s mother, as she spoke tearfully before Judge Reed at the sentencing. "He left my daughter there, naked, bleeding and barely alive."
   Originally, Mr. Carman faced a possible 30 years to life sentence, but the state filed for an extended sentence, which Judge Reed granted, raising the possible sentence from 30 to 35 years.
   According to Assistant Prosecutor Timothy Van Hise, the extended sentence was requested based on Mr. Carman’s prior criminal history, including past convictions for burglary, resisting arrest and criminal sexual contact.
   "There is a likelihood that you will commit other crimes," Judge Reed said to Mr. Carman, whose face revealed no emotion throughout the hearing.
   Mr. Carman now has 45 days to file an appeal. James Wronko, Mr. Carman’s attorney, could not be reached for comment about whether his client will file an appeal.
   The proceedings remained stalled at the beginning of the hearing to address a claim by Mr. Carman that Judge Reed had represented him in a parole trial in 1999. According to Judge Reed, after some research, he found that he had been retained to represent Mr. Carman in a pending notice of parole revocation.
   Judge Reed maintained throughout the hearing that he had no recollection of the event and, therefore, it did not bias his work during the actual trial. He said he questioned why, if Mr. Carman recognized his name, this issue was not addressed prior to the sentencing hearing.
   "I am concerned that Mr. Carman knew about this earlier and failed to disclose it," Judge Reed said. "I know he is disappointed with the ruling, so he brings it up."
   Mr. Wronko requested a mistrial and to have Judge Reed removed from the sentencing, but the motion was denied.
   "My recollection did not include having represented Mr. Carman," Judge Reed said. "For me to recuse myself after having presided over the trial does not and will not interfere with my resolve to give a fair hearing."
   In addition to his imprisonment, Mr. Carman is being forced to pay $5,582 to Ms. Bodo to cover funeral and other costs, as well as $5,000 to the New Jersey Violent Crimes Compensation Board, among other costs. In addition, Judge Reed said he is to have no contact with any member of the Bodo family.
   As Judge Reed announced the sentence, a sigh of relief sounded from the many friends and relatives who had come out to find justice for Jacqueline Bodo.
   "She wanted a future and she was two days away from making a change for herself," Carol Bodo said. "I am Jackie’s voice and I hope that it has been heard."